Brown Ambition

Ep. 75 — Sister Act: How Miko & Titi Branch Built Miss Jessie's into One of the Biggest Brands in Natural Hair Care

Released: Mar 28, 2017

*Today's show is dedicated to Titi Branch — a phenomenal woman, entrepreneur, and sister. We love and thank you for every contribution you made toward helping women embrace their natural beauty.*

Miko Branch, the phenomenal cofounder of Miss Jessie's sits down with Mandi and Tiffany to talk about creating the Miss Jessie's hair care line with her big sister Titi in their Brooklyn brownstone over a decade ago.

The sisters mixed their products in the kitchen of their Brooklyn brownstone and bootstrapped the company themselves without any of the usual trappings of entrepreneurship (they didn't have MBAs, or a team of wealthy investors to back them). Word spread about their signature product, their "curly pudding", and soon enough they went from begging NYC-area stores like Ricky's to carry their products to lining up deals with major retailers like Target.

But, of course, there were some bumps along the road to success.

After Titi's sudden passing in 2014, Miko has made it her mission to not only continue to grow the company they created as a team but also to focus even more on her own personal happiness, health and balance in life.

"I make happiness and health a priority right up there with business," she says. "I think money is a tool that you can use to do many things but I don't think money has much to do with your character or your decision making."